The Vachina Apartments building was designed by Nevada architect Frederic
DeLongchamps and erected in 1922 in the Classical Revival style, characteristic
of the influence of the Ecole de Beaux Arts on DeLongchamps earlier work.
The building was one of the earliest major apartment buildings constructed
in Reno, and exhibits the same formal symmetry of the architect's larger
Classical Revival works in the area, such as the Washoe
County Courthouse. The exterior walls of the two-story building are
constructed with small concrete blocks, while large concrete block quions
enrich the corners. DeLongchamps's careful attention to detail can be
seen in the small Classical portico and cornice. The original owner of
the apartment building was Aldo Vachina, who also represented the Italian
Consul in Reno. Reno had a significant Italian population, and Vachina
was one of many Italians who made significant contributions to the city's
development. They were agriculturalists, stonemasons, dairy farmers and
business owners.

Later renamed the California Apartments, this building also played
a significant role in Reno's divorce industry from the early 1920s through
the mid-1960s, by housing temporary "Nevada residents" prior to their
divorce court appearances. Until 1927, divorce-seekers had to call Nevada
home for six months before a divorce could be granted. In 1927, the
residency period was reduced to three months, which boosted the divorce
trade. By 1931, when the residency period was lowered to six weeks,
the number of temporary residences increased even further. Apartment
vacancies were rare, which helped keep Reno afloat during the Great
Depression.

The Vachina Apartments--California Apartments are located at 45
California Ave. in Reno. It is still a private apartment building and
not open to the public.